Ball-rolling machine.



No. 820,140. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906. A. T. SAUNDERS.

BALL ROLLING MAGHINE. APPLIGATION FILED 1330.4, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

- No. 820,140. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

A.T.SAAUNDERS.

BALL ROLLING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED DEO.4,1905.

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PATBNTED MAY 8,1906" No. 820,140. v

- A.T.SAUNDERS.

BALL ROLLING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED DEC. 1, 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADDISON T. SAUNDERS, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK A.SEIBERLING, OF AKRON, OHIO.

BALL-ROLLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

katented May 8, 1906.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AomsoN T. SAUNDERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Ball-Rolling Machines, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention has relation to devices for performing one step in themanufacture of certain articles; and it consists in mechanism forcontinuously rolling the articles, so that their axes of rotation areconstantly changln 'Illhis invention, while suitable for other purposes,is primarily designed to roll a hollow sphere constituting either aplaying-ball or a nucleus therefor, so that a fluent or semifluentair-proof material placed therein will be formed into a uniform liningtherefor and be distributed evenly and effectually within the shell ofthe sphere.

It has been found that a hollow sphere, especially when constructedwholly or in part from rubber, and whether used alone as a playing-ballor as a nucleus for golf or similar balls, is not perfectly air-proofunder a charge of fluid placed therein. Hence it has been foundnecessary to place within said sphere some form of lining which willrender the same fluid-tight. In providing linings of this character forspheres which are to be used either as playing-balls or as a nucleus forthe superimposition thereon of other coverings to adapt them for otheruses it ispreferable to place the lining within the ball in a fluent orsemifluent condition and subsequently roll or rotate the spherecontinuously until the fluent lining sets and becomes either solid orsemisolid. There are two classes of linin 's which may preferably beused, one class eing designatedto set when the article in which it isplaced is cooled and the other when the temperature of the article israised sufliciently to coagulate the fluent lining.

The object of'this invention, therefore, is to provide a simple andsuitable device for receiving the hollow spheres containing the fluentlining which will constantly roll them about on constantly-changing axesuntil the fluent material contained therein has been sufficientlydistributed to constitute an even lining and has set enough to beapproximately self-maintaining.

The invention further aims to supplement the mechanism for imparting arotary motion with suitable means for maintaining or changing thetemperature of the spheres during the rollin thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of partsconstituting the invention, to be hereinafter referred to, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, in which is shown the preferred embodiment of theinvention; but it is to be understood that changes, variations, andmodifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of theclaims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, in which similar referencenumerals indicate like partsin the different figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one side ofthe device. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 looking from the oppositeside of the machine. Fig. 3 is a detail of certain mechanism under themain upper portion of the device and hidden in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 isa detail of a in used in this device. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view ofvarious belts used in connection with this device, and Fig. 6 anenlarged view of one of the rollers.

It will be stated that while the mechanism described herein is equallyapplicable for the rolling of various articles the description hereinfor the purpose of this application will be confined wholly to rubberspheres ada ted for use as playing-balls or as nuclei or playing-balls.

In the drawings, 1 1 represent two longitudinal horizontal parallel barssupported at one end by a pair of legs 2 and at the opposite end by apair of legs 3. These bars are further supported by pairs of legs,(designated by the reference-numerals 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9,) the.members of each pair being oppositely disposed in position with respectto each other.

Mounted on a plurality of cross-bars 10, extending between the bars 1,is a chamber 11, to which fluids may be conducted by means of a pipe 12,provided with a cock 13. This chamber 11 is provided with an outlet 14,to which is preferably attached a gage 15, by which the pressure offluid within the chamber is determined.

Mounted in longitudirially-slidable jourably made of Wire-gauze.

nals 16, extending between the bars 1 1 at one end of the machine, is anon-revoluble shaft 17, on which is mounted an idler-roll 18. Mounted atthe opposite end of the device on the bars 1 1 are journals 19, in whichis rotatably mounted a shaft 20, to which shaft is splined a roller 21.Between the rollers 18 and 21 extends a wide-faced belt 22, prefer-These rollers are so disposed with respect to the balance of themechanism that the belt 22 when extended between the upper peripheriesof the two rollers 18 and 21 will lie along and travel on the upper faceof the chamber 11 and the lower portion of the belt depending betweenthe two rollers will hang below the said chambers and out of contacttherewith. This belt 22 is arranged to have two motions, one of i whichis longitudinal in the ordinary manner of a belt used for conveyingpower from one pulley to another. This motion is imparted to the belt 22by means of the following mechanism: Extending between the legs 6 and 7on each side of the device are crossbars 23, on which are mountedjournals in which are rotatably mounted a transverse main driving-shaft24. This shaft bears at one end a large sprocket-wheel 25, whichreceives power from a sprocket-chain 26, driven by any ordinary sourceof power. Reference is now directed ,to Fig. 3. On the same end of theshaft 24 on which is mounted the sprocket-wheel 25 is a beveled gear 27,into which meshes a beveled gear 28, mounted upon a shaft 29, sustainedrotatably in bearings 30. The opposite end of this shaft 29 also bears abeveled gear 31, which is adapted to mesh into a beveled gear 32 on theend of the shaft 20, on which is mounted the roller 21. It will be thusseen that as the main driving-shaft 24 is rotated in its journals acontinuous progressive movement of the belt 22 is secured, and as thisbelt lies along the top of the chamber 11 it will move longitudinallythereof. This belt has an entirely distinct motion to its longitudinalprogressive motion. This second motion of the belt is reciprocal andtransverse to its longitudinal motion, causing the belt to movesidewise, as well as lengthwise, from which it follows that any givenpoint on the belt would produce a line formed upon undulating curves orhaving a serpentine shape consisting of alternate convex and concavelines. This reciprocal action of the belt is attained by the followingmechanism: Mounted on the shaft 24 is a wheel 33, having on its exteriorperiphery a cam-ridge 34. The amount of the deflection of the cam-ridge34 froma true line will be accurately ascertained, so that acorresponding reciprocation of the belt 22 through mechanism to behereinafter described Will result. Extending between the bars 1 1 of theframe are cross-bars 35, which bear approximately centrally upright pins36,

on which are mounted two arms 37, adapted to swing horizontally thereon.The inner ends of these arm 37 are formed with elongated openings andare adapted to inclose a pin 38, to the lower end of which is secured ahead 39, having depending therefrom two friction-reducing rollers 40.These rollers 40 are so positioned as to cooperate with the ridge 34 andfollow its movements, and as the pin 38 passes through the openings inthe ends of the arm 37 the movements of the head 39 and pin 38 will betransmitted to the arms 37 The outer ends of these two arms 37 areslotted and are adapted to receive pins 41, depending from yokes 42, theouter ends of which inclose the shafts 17 and 20 on both sides of therollers 18 and 21, so that when the yokes 42 are reciprocated under theinfluence of the arms 37 the rollers 18 and 21 will be slid along theirrespective shafts; but their revolution thereon will not be interrupted.

It will be seen from the following description that the shaft 24simultaneously imparts two distinct movements to the belt 22. Mounted inbearings 43 on the bars 1 1 at one end of the machine is a shaft 44,which bears a pair of oppositely-disposed flanged sprocketwheels 45, andat the opposite end of the machine and similarly mounted is a shaft 46,

bearing flanged sprocket-wheels 47, corresponding in position and shapeto the sprocket-wheels 45. On these sprocketwheels 45 and 47 is adaptedto run a belt 48, consisting of side chains 49 and cross-bars 50,extending between the side chains 49 and spaced apart from each other.This chain 49 is adapted to travel over and be spaced apart from thebelt 22 in its passage, and the following mechanism is employed tosustain it during its transit from one sprocket-wheel to another.Mounted on the side bars' 1 1 are a series of brackets 51, adapted tosupport a pair of longitudinal parallel guides 52, in which the chainportions 49 of the belt 48 will run and be supported. It is obvious,therefore, that this chain 49 is entirely independent of and spacedapart from the belt 22. Motion is communicated to this belt 48 in thefollowing manner: On the opposite end of the shaft 24 from thatcontaining the sprocket-wheel 25 is a beveled gear 53, into which meshesa beveled gear 54, mounted on the end of a shaft 55, sustained insuitable bearings 56, bearing at its outer end a Worm 57. This worm 57is adapted to engage a worm-wheel 58, mounted on the end of the shaft46, so that as the shaft 24 is revolved the chain 49 will becontinuously and slowly moved over the chamber 11, but spaced therefrom.

Extending between the end legs 2 2 and 3 3 are cross-bars 59, andonthese cross-bars 59 are posts 60, having extending between them top bars61. Between these top bars of the device are strung a plurality oftightly-drawn wires 62, suitably spaced apart from each other and lyingslightly above the cross-bars 50 of the chain 48. These wires aresupported centrally against unintentional sag by one or more bars 63,which extend between the brackets 51 and which have at suitable points1n their under face depending supports 64, which engage the wires 62 andsustain them individually against sagging and lateral displacement.

In constructing this device I preferably make the chamber 11considerably shorter than the longitudinal bars 1 1 and place thischamber 11 so that at one end of the device a considerable spaceintervenes between it and the roller for the belt 22, and into thisspace, which may be partially inclosed by a'plate, as shown at 65, Iprefer to force a cooling fluid through a pipe 66. This portion of thedevice, however, is only auxiliary and is not always necessary in theoperation thereof.

In order to tighten the belt 22, I pass a pair of screws 67 through theends of the shaft 17, which is mounted upon slidable journals 16, andalso through the ends of the shaft 44, which is tightly mounted in thebearings 43, and by manipulating these two screws the two rollers 18 and21 are moved toward or away from each other sufficiently to keep thebelt 22 in perfect condition for use.

It will be noted that the transverse bars 50 of the chain 49, inconnection with the longitudinal wires 62, divide the space above thebelt 22 into a'plurality of approximately rectangular spaces, and itwill be further obvious that the number of cross-bars 50 andlongitudinal crossbars 61 may be increased or diminished as the caserequires, and their size will be governed by the size of the sphereswhich are to be rolled by this device.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Motion being communicated to the shaft 24,

the belt 22 is moved progressively and reciprocally across the uppersurface of the chamber 11, and at the same time the belt 48 movesthereover, but at a much less speed, and it will be here stated thatthis belt 48 constitutes a conveying or feeding belt for the entiremechanism. The hollow spheres containing a fluent or semifluent liningare placed upon the belt 22 at the end of the device opposite to that inwhich the pipe66 is located, and in placing these spheres thereon theywill be so placed that each sphere will occupy one of the spaces boundedby the cross-bars 50 and longitudinal wires 62. Previous to the placingof these spheres on the belt 22 the chamber 11 will be heated to adesired degree by the introduction therein of live steam through thepipe 12 if the matter contained in the spheres is of a nature to be setby the use of heat but if the linings are adapted to be brought to aproper condition by any other kind of temperature than heat any othersuitable fluid may be introduced to the chamber 1 1. It will be seenthat the spheres will be slowly and progressively drawn over the face ofthe belt 22 by means of the feedchain 48 and that during their transitthereover the compound motion imparted to the belt 22 will cause them tobe rotated upon constantlychanging axes, whereby the lining placedtherein will be evenly and perfectly distributed and so kept until ithas reached the consistency desired by the operator, which may bedetermined by timing or other suitable means. As the spheres pass overthe end of the belt 22 they will fall into any proper receptacleprovided for their reception. The travel of the feed or conveyer belt 48must be so regulated that sufficient time will elapse between theirplacement on the belt 22 and their removal therefrom that their liningswill be brought to the exact condition sought. The spheres are guidedand kept from leaving the belt 22 by means of the wires 62, betweenwhich they are conveyed.

What I claim is 1. A device of the class described comprising atemperature-controlling means, means to sustain articles within theinfluence of said temperature-controlling means, said sustaining meansbeing capable of a simultaneous longitudinal and transverse reciprocalmotion, whereby said articles are constantly ro- .tated on differentaxes.

2. A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, means to sustain articles within the influence of saidtemperature-controlling means, said sustaining means being capable of asimultaneous longitudinal and transverse reciprocal motion, whereby saidarticles are constantly rotated on different axes, and means for looselyconfining articles while so sustained.

3. A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, means to sustain articles within the influence of saidtemperature-controlling means, said sustaining means being capable of asimultaneous longitudinal and transverse reciprocal motion, andindependent means to feed articles over said sustaining means.

4. A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, means to sustain articles within the influence of saidtemperature-controlling means, said sustaining means being capableof asimultaneous longitudinal and transverse reciprocal motion,

&

tion, means to feed articles over said sustaining means, and means forloosely confining said articles in operative relation with saidsustaining means while being fed thereover.

6; A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, a belt arranged to travel within the influence thereof, means toimpart a simultaneous longitudinal and reciprocal motion to said beltwhereby said articles are constantly rotated on different axes and meansfor loosely confining articles thereon.

7. A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, a belt arranged to travel Within the influence there of, andguides for loosely confining the movements of articles whereby saidarticles are constantly rotated on different axes while fed over saidbelt.

8. A device-of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, a belt arranged to travel within the influence thereof, means toimpart to said belt a simultaneous longitudinal and reciprocal motion,means to feed articles over said belt, and means for loosely confiningsaid articles in their transit thereover.

9. A device of the class described comprising a temperature-controllingmeans, a belt arranged to travel within the influence thereof, meanstoimpart to said belt a reciprocal motion, means to feed articles oversaid belt,

and means for loosely confining said articles during their transitthereover.

10. A device of the class described comprising a conveying means, meansfor rotating articles sustained on said conveying means, means forloosely confining articles on said conveying means, and means to controlthe temperature of articles while sustained on said conveying means.

1 l. A device of the class described c0mprising a conveying means, meansfor imparting to said conveying means a simultaneous longitudinal andreciprocal motion, whereby articles sustained thereon are constantlyrotated on different axes.

12. A device of the class described comprising a conveying means, meansfor imparting to said conveying means a simultaneous longitudinal andreciprocal motion, a feeding device to feed articles over said conveyingmeans, means for loosely confining articles on said conveying means, andmeans to control the temperature of said articles, while on saidconveying means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ADDISOiN T. SAUNDERS.

Witnesses:

GLENARA Fox, C. E. HUMPHREY.

